In a recent interview, former Inter goalkeeper Tommaso Berni has spoken on a number of Inter related topics and he started by discussing his return to the club in 2014.
“My first years at Inter were not easy. When there is a change of ownership and a revolution at club management level, it takes time to build something solid and concrete,” he explained in an interview with Italian news outlet Il Posticipo.
“Every player and every coach who has worked for Inter has given and left something, for better or for worse, depending on the results obtained.”
He then went on to reflect on Luciano Spalletti’s two year spell in charge of Inter between 2017 and 2019, in both of which he achieved top four finishes in Serie A.
“The two years with Luciano Spalletti have been fundamental. The results on the pitch were evident. The team came through moments of great difficulty. Inter are back in the Champions League after so many years, a competition that must be normal for Inter.”
Berni then spoke on curent Inter manager Antonio Conte and he said: “I always believed he would stay. Conte is a commander, he is a coach who does not abandon his players, I was convinced that he would stay. What really happened or what could happen I don’t know, we need to talk to the club.”
Next he spoke on Inter’s disappointing recent elimination from the UEFA Champions League.
“The elimination from the Champions League? I believed that the team could have went through. For the umpteenth time there was the opportunity to achieve the goal in the last game.
“I thought that sooner or later the ball would go in against Shakhtar. Unfortunately it wasn’t like that and I was sorry.
“The elimination was not a good thing, but we must go ahead and be aware that there is the chance to have a great season. Two competitions are within reach. I hope Inter can win them. Many teams can aspire to the Scudetto. The path is not easy for anyone and it is very long.”
Berni then came to the defence of Christian Eriksen who has come in for no shortage of criticism for his failure to live up to expectations during his 11 months with Inter so far.
“Last year I was in the locker room with Christian and I can say that in terms human and football qualities he is a top player. We need to have a little patience. His value is not debatable but logically we cannot wait for anyone forever.
“It is not the first time that important players arrive in Italy from foreign leagues, they do not do well, then when we send them away then they explode abroad. If he is given the opportunity to express himself, Eriksen will surely be able to repay everyone.”
In conclusion, Berni sang the praises of Inter talisman Romelu Lukaku, who, unlike Eriksen, has been in sublime form since his arrival at Inter in the Summer of 2019.
“He has incredible humility and is a beast. I am not small, I weigh a lot, but in front of him I felt like a boy. He has an excessive physical power. He has incredible, crazy technical qualities. His greatest gift is his humility.
“He makes himself available, accepts criticism and always wants to improve. I had bonded a lot with him and with the whole dressing room. Last year there was a beautiful atmosphere. I miss the boys, throwing myself on the ground and struggling in training.”